When it comes to making a house a home, no one knows how to do it better than Muirfield-based Seif & Stewart Designs. Co-founded by Ellen Seif and Stephanie Stewart, the full-service design and build studio is rooted in the idea that a personalized space reflects its occupants’ unique personality and passions and has the power to transform any home into a sanctuary.

Both Ellen and Stephanie grew up in Ohio and as serendipity would have it, both eventually found their way to Muirfield to raise their families. Ellen grew up in Delaware, Ohio, and graduated from The Ohio State University. She met her husband in Philadelphia and the two moved to Muirfield 18 years ago, where they still live with their two kids Meredeth, a freshman at Jerome, and Nathan, a sophomore. Stephanie grew up in Lima, Ohio and moved to Columbus after she and her husband, Jared, were married in 2003. They now live in Muirfield with their two daughters - Finley and Ellie, a freshman and senior respectively at Jerome.

Behind every great company and successful founder lies a journey of unexpected twists and fateful happenings. The same is true of Seif & Stewart Designs. After graduating from OSU with a degree in interior design, Ellen began her career working for a kitchen and bath remodeling firm, which she loved. However, she was looking for more flexibility and branched out on her own sixteen years ago after starting a family, sparking her entrepreneurial spirit. As for Stephanie, prior to starting Seif & Stewart Designs, her career was launched in an entirely different industry. She spent twenty years in aviation and while she enjoyed her time, she longed to do something creative that aligned with her personal and professional values. Coming from a family of artists and craftspeople, Stephanie considers herself a natural creative and she started assisting friends and acquaintances on their design projects five years ago as a side gig.

Ellen and Stephanie’s two individual journeys eventually aligned perfectly when they became neighbors, creating the opportunity for the birth of a new business. When Ellen’s entrepreneurial spirit and interior design experience met Stephanie’s passion and innate creativity, Seif & Stewart Designs was born and the rest is history.

With more than 28 years of combined experience, the studio's expertise encompasses everything from paint color and furniture selection, to full-service design, remodeling, and new-build project management. What sets Ellen and Stephanie apart is their commitment to getting to know their clients, as well as their emphasis on creating something uniquely beautiful for their space that is a reflection of who they are and the people and things they love. As opposed to utilizing a standard design “look” or formula across all projects, the studio prides itself on tackling each individually with a personalized approach for each client. 

For those thinking about kickstarting design projects, Ellen and Stephanie advise bringing Seif & Stewart Design Studios in at the beginning when you’re starting to think through ideas but haven’t committed to purchases or plans yet. They are happy to offer feedback and suggestions to ensure a cohesive design plan from the get-go and avoid having to rework particular aspects of the project. Not only do they enjoy the brainstorming process themselves, it also serves to help clients envision options they might not have considered or even thought possible. 

Though they are both professionals who take their work seriously, Ellen and Stephanie prioritize having fun through their work together as well as through their partnership with clients. As members of this unique and beautiful community themselves, they love empowering their neighbors to discover their own form of self-expression through thoughtful design that make Muirfield feel even more like home. For more information or to get in contact and kickstart a project, visit seifandstewartdesigns.com.